Dimapur, June 3 (MExN): The NSCN (IM) has produced their version of the May 31 incident in Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh, terming it as ‘unfortunate’ and in need of ‘critical examination.’
A press release from the Government of the People’s Republic of Nagalim’s Ministry of Information & Publicity (MIP) explained the incident that occurred between Namsang and Shumshi village, under Deomali jurisdiction in Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh.
According to the MIP, the NSCN (IM) had received reports of “forcible collection, ransom demand and holding captives for ransom payment.” These actions were allegedly done in the name of one late Major John alongside the usage of NSCN (IM) letter pad. With these activities “routinely reported” to the NSCN (IM) base, an additional complaint was made to them by the father of late Rasil Ali, who died in the ensuing episode, that his son had been abducted, stated the MIP. The allegation was that Ali had been abducted by the NSCN (IM) "under the command of one Maj. Gen. Raman."
“NSCN officials in the location assured the father that had his son been taken away by the NSCN he had no reason for worry.”
The NSCN (IM) thus dispatched a column, it stated in its press release, to “the vicinity where such unlawful activities were being carried out and to take stock of the overall situations prevailing there.”
The “column came under heavy fire and in the course of short, but fierce, gun battle that followed as NSCN cadres column returned fire, such unfortunate bloodshed resulted. Late Rasil Ali was fully clad in military fatigue when his mortal remain was retrieved from the spot,” stated the MIP, questioning why the person was clothed in military camouflage though he was a civilian.
The NSCN (IM) maintained that this is an “unfortunate and most uncalled for” incident and should be “critically examined” to “understand the reality from both sides of the story so that unwelcomed consequence may be avoided” so as not to disrupt the peace initiatives by the Naga people to take the peace process forward.
The group maintained that the loss of lives “was an absolute unintentional occurrence, never motivated by any ill-attempt to disrespect all that the Naga civil bodies have ceaselessly embodied in various covenants in their thrive for the Journey of Common Hope.”
The NSCN (IM) lamented that had Rasil Ali been alive, he would “stand witness to all the wild and most inflammable narratives carried by different news channels and social media.” They hoped that one Gulap Homcha RP who was hospitalized and recovering may be “another witness to the truth and facts about the recent incident.”
The NSCN (IM), meanwhile, expressed surprise over the “presence of NSCN (U) in the region where the incident took place because the stand of the former is officially clear that it has no doctrine of expanding its territory; that it operates in the current state of Nagaland only.”
NTC condemns May 31 violence
Kohima, June 3 (MExN): The Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) has condemned the incident of violence that occurred on May 31 in Arunachal Pradesh. “After years of destructive conflicts amongst the Nagas, much to the delight of the adversaries, the Nagas have been enjoying relative peace during the last few years without bloodshed,” acknowledged the NTC in a press release from its Media Cell today. The recent episode in Arunachal Pradesh is a “grim reminder of our bitter past of how our political groups gave their best to finish each other through game of violence,” stated the NTC, adding that the incident “poses threat as it would be the possible spark for resumption of similar conflict should it not be contained as required.” The NTC also appealed to the Naga people to “stand as one behind those who are in pursuit of political solution and not to be swayed by pro-conflict elements.”
